Infeed and outfeed assemblies for a conveyor

ABSTRACT

A conveyor employs an infeed assembly and outfeed assembly, each comprising a nosebar assembly that may be mounted to a conveyor frame to transition a conveyor belt between a returnway and a carryway, a belt guiding roller, such as a sprocket or brake, a position limiter for ensuring proper engagement between the belt guiding roller and the conveyor belt and a connecting plate that ensures proper placement of the position limiter relative to the guide roller. The infeed assembly and outfeed assembly components may be easily moved into engagement and out of engagement to facilitate replacement, cleaning or maintenance.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/335,456 with a 371 date of Mar. 21, 2019. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/335,456 is a § 371 application ofPCT/US2017/052631, filed Sep. 21, 2017 which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/397,416, filed Sep. 21, 2016 andentitled “Infeed and Outfeed Assemblies for a Conveyor”, the contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference. PCT/US2017/052631 alsoclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/404,946,filed Oct. 6, 2016 and also entitled “Infeed and Outfeed Assemblies fora Conveyor”, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to power-driven conveyors. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to infeed and outfeed assemblies fora conveyor to transition conveyed items onto and off of the conveyor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power-driven conveyors are used to convey items. Infeed assemblies areused to transition items onto the conveyor as the conveyor belt movesfrom a returnway to a carryway above the returnway. Outfeed assembliesare used to transition items off of the conveyor as the belt moves fromthe carryway to the returnway. A drive moves the conveyor belt throughthe conveying circuit. For example, drive sprockets mounted on arotatable shaft may engage and drive the conveyor belt along theconveying circuit. Drive sprockets can be located at the outfeed of theconveyor or within the returnway of the circuit. The infeed may containdrag sprockets to create resistance to the belt movement. Suchresistance may be helpful in positively-driven conveyor belts that arenot pretensioned throughout the belt circuit, allowing the conveyor beltto be loose and strain-fee between the drive and the drag sprockets.Roller limiters or other devices may be used to ensure proper engagementbetween the conveyor belt and the drive or drag sprockets.

Currently, it is difficult to either clean or maintain cleanliness inconveyors and-or to disassemble certain components for cleaning,replacement or maintenance. In addition, space surrounding dragsprockets and drive sprockets may be limited, making the addition ofother conveyor components, such as scrapers and belt wrap rollers,difficult.

In addition, small transfers of items are generally limited to flatbelts that operate using pretension. The pretension, combined with thevelocity of the infeed and-or outfeed rollers, results in a short lifespan for the rollers or static nose bars that guide the belts.Replacement of worn components leads to downtime of the conveyor and canbe difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A conveyor comprises a frame, a positive-drive, low tension conveyorbelt trained around an infeed portion and an outfeed portion. An infeedassembly is mounted to the frame and includes a removable belt-guidingassembly comprising an axle and a rotatable nosebar mounted to the axle.A belt-guiding roller is mounted at the infeed below the belt-guidingassembly to impart drag on the belt. A position limiter assembly,movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position in whichthe position limiter assembly is still connected to the frame, ensuredproper engagement between the conveyor belt and the belt-guiding roller.An outfeed assembly includes a drive, a disengageable position limiterassembly for ensuring proper engagement between the drive and theconveyor belt and a scraper assembly that can also be disengaged.

According to one aspect, a scraper assembly for a conveyor comprises apair of spaced apart scraper mounting plates, each scraper mountingplate including an upper outer protrusion and a lower outer protrusion,a base support extending between the scraper mounting plates, aplurality of scraper blade receptacles formed on the base support and apair of mounting arms for mounting and biasing the scraper assemblyrelative to a conveyor belt. Each mounting arm includes an upper recessfor receiving an upper outer protrusion of a scraper mounting plate anda lower slot for receiving a lower outer protrusion of a scrapermounting plate.

According to another aspect, an assembly for a conveyor comprises aconnecting plate having a first seat for receiving an end of a conveyordrive and a second seat that is open, a position limiter for ensuringproper engagement between the drive side of the conveyor belt and theconveyor drive, a handle connected the position limiter and a scraperassembly connected to the position limiter. The position limiter has afirst end configured to be received in the open seat of the connectingplate. The handle is movable between an operating position in which theposition limiter end is mounted in the open seat and a nonoperatingposition, in which the position limiter end is unseated from the openseat. Movement of the position limiter translates into movement of thescraper assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an infeed portion of a conveyor beltsystem according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the infeed portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a subset of the infeed portion of FIG. 1 with a conveyorbelt, position limiter and guide roller removed;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the infeed portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the infeed portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the noseroller assembly used in theinfeed portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the noseroller assembly of FIG. 6 duringassembly;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of area 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the noseroller assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 shows the assembly of FIG. 6 with the noseroller segments andaxle removed;

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the noseroller assembly of FIG. 6 insertedin a conveyor frame;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a limiter connecting plate used in theinfeed portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a position limiter assembly of theinfeed portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the connecting portions of the positionlimiter assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows the position limiter in a disengaged position relative tothe limiter connecting plate according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a noseroller assembly suitable foruse in an infeed or outfeed portion of a conveyor;

FIG. 17 is an exploded close-up view of a side portion of an infeedportion of a conveyor belt system according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 18 shows the internally-braked guide roller and limiter connectingplates in the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the limiter connecting plate of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the internally-braked guide rollerof FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an exemplary outfeed portion of aconveyor belt system;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a detailed view of the components of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of the limiter connecting plate of theoutfeed portion of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a detailed view of a region 25 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 shows the position limiter assembly of the outfeed portion ofFIG. 21;

FIG. 27 shows the scraper assembly of the outfeed portion of FIG. 21;

FIG. 28 is a detailed view of the scraper assembly and position limiterassembly of the outfeed portion of FIG. 21 when in engaged positions;

FIG. 29 is a side view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 21 duringdisengagement of the position limiter assembly and the scraper assembly;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 21 with theposition limiter assembly and scraper assembly in fully disengagedpositions;

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 21 duringassembly;

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the tool used in the assembly shown inFIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of another embodiment of an infeed portionof a conveyor;

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of the infeed portion of FIG. 33 with theconveyor belt removed;

FIG. 35 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 33 during a stepof disengaging the position limiter by rotating the assembly;

FIG. 36 shows the infeed portion of FIG. 33 in a disengaged mode;

FIG. 37 is an isometric view of the side plates and support structure ofthe infeed portion of FIG. 33;

FIG. 38 shows the position limiter assembly of the infeed portion ofFIG. 33;

FIG. 39 is an exploded view of the infeed portion of FIG. 33;

FIG. 40 is an isometric view of an infeed portion of a conveyoraccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 41 is an exploded view of the infeed portion of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is an isometric view of the side plates and support structure ofthe infeed portion of FIG. 40;

FIG. 43 is an isometric view of a limiter connecting plate of the infeedportion of FIG. 40;

FIG. 44 shows the position limiter assembly of the infeed portion ofFIG. 40;

FIG. 45 is an exploded view of the connecting portion of the positionlimiter assembly of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a side view of the infeed portion of FIG. 40 in an engagedmode;

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional side view of the infeed portion of FIG. 40in the engaged mode;

FIG. 48 is an isometric detailed view of the infeed portion of FIG. 40in a disengaged mode;

FIG. 49 is an isometric view of an outfeed portion of a conveyor in anengaged mode according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 50 shows the outfeed portion of FIG. 49 in a disengaged mode;

FIG. 51 is an exploded view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 49;

FIG. 52 is an isometric view of the side plates and support structure ofthe infeed portion of FIG. 49;

FIG. 53 is an isometric view of another embodiment of an outfeed portionof a conveyor assembly;

FIG. 54 is an exploded view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 is a detailed view of region 55 of FIG. 54;

FIG. 56 is a close-up view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 53, withoutthe conveyor belt and with the components in an engaged position;

FIG. 57 is an isometric view of a limiter connecting plate of theoutfeed portion of FIG. 53;

FIG. 58 is an exploded view of the scraper assembly of the outfeedportion of FIG. 53;

FIG. 59 is a side view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 53 in a disengagedmode;

FIG. 60 is a side view of the outfeed portion of FIG. 53 when thescraper blade is disengaged from the mounting arms;

FIG. 61 is an exploded front view of an arm and base suitable for use ina noseroller assembly in a conveyor;

FIG. 62 is a detailed view of region B of FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 shows the arm in an assembled position;

FIG. 64 is a side view of the arm of FIG. 61;

FIG. 65 is an isometric view of the arm and base of FIG. 61;

FIG. 66 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 63 throughline A-A;

FIG. 67 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 64 throughlines A-A;

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional is view of a noseroller assembly in aconveyor formed using a compressive seal between a high hygieneenvironment and a low hygiene environment according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sanitary system at a transition end,i.e., the infeed or outfeed end, of a conveyor that can be easilyinstalled and removed without tools. The system facilitates transfer ofproducts to and from positively-driven, low tension endless conveyorbelts and enables small diameter transfers. The present invention willbe described below relative to an illustrative embodiment. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that the present invention may be implementedin a number of different applications and embodiments and is notspecifically limited in its application to the particular embodimentsdepicted herein.

FIGS. 1-5 show an infeed portion 10 of a conveyor belt system accordingto an embodiment of the invention. The conveyor belt system includes aframe and a positively-driven, low tension conveyor belt 20, such as theThermoDrive® belt available from Intralox, L.L.C., the Cleandrivepositive drive belt available from Habasit AG, the Gates MectrolPosiClean® positive drive belt available from Gates Mectrol, the VoltaSuperDrive™ and other positive drive belts available from Volta Beltingand other positively-driven, low tension conveyor belts known in theart. The invention is not limited to these belts, and may be implementedwith any suitable positive-drive, low tension conveyor belt. Theillustrative conveyor belt 20 has a smooth outer surface substantiallyfree of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teethat a given belt pitch or other suitable drive elements. The conveyorbelt 20 conveys products along a carryway from an infeed to an outfeedand returns along a returnway below the carryway. The conveyor belt maybe conventionally trained around belt-guiding members in the infeedportion 10 and outfeed portion 12, as described below.

At the infeed end 10, the conveyor belt 20 comes up from the returnwayand enters the carryway, and items to be conveyed transition onto theconveyor belt 20. In certain applications, it may be desirable to have a“tight transfer”, i.e., smooth transition on and off the conveyor beltfor even small products.

The illustrative infeed end comprises a frame for a conveyor belt, theframe including opposing side plates 30, 31 and a carryway support 32.Each side plate include a recess 33 in a top front corner for seating anoseroller assembly 70 for guiding the conveyor belt at the infeedtransition point. Upper protrusions 35, 36, 37 are used to lock thenoseroller assembly to the frame using a handle 40. The infeed end 10further includes a guide roller 80 for guiding the belt below the infeedtransition point. The illustrative guide roller 80 includes a pluralityof teeth for engaging the drive elements on the drive side of theconveyor belt. The guide roller can be a brake for imparting localizedtension to help the conveyor belt conform to the noseroller assembly. Aposition limiter, shown as a roller limiter 90, ensures properengagement of the drive elements of the conveyor belt with the teeth onthe guide roller 80.

The illustrative noseroller assembly 70 comprises a cartridge that canbe easily removed from and inserted into the frame. Alternatively, thenoseroller assembly 70 can be permanently attached to the frame. Thenosebar assembly 70 comprises one or more passive rotatable nosebars 75for guiding the conveyor belt. In the illustrative embodiment, thenosebar assembly comprises a series of toothed nosebars 75 mounted on anaxle or other structure. As shown in FIGS. 6-10, the illustrativenoseroller assembly 70 comprises a support beam 71 that extends from afirst end to a second end, corresponding to the width of the conveyorbelt 20. Clips 72 are disposed at periodic intervals along the beam 71to allow mounting of the noseroller assembly 70 in the conveyor frame.The support beam 71 includes a plurality of arms 73 extending up fromthe upper surface of the support beam 71. Each arm 73 includes at leastone opening 79, as shown in FIG. 10, for receiving an axle 74.

To assemble the noseroller assembly, a nosebar segment 75 is placedbetween two arms 73, such that an opening in the nosebar segment 75aligns with the opening 79 in the arm, then, the axle 74 is pushedthrough the aligned openings to secure the nosebar segments to thesupport beam 71. The nosebar axle 74 includes a straight body portionand one or more end curves 86 to allow the nosebar axle 74 to lock intoplace, or rotate to allow for easy disassembly and replacement of thenosebars 75. The nosebar axle 74 ensures that all nosebars 75 arecoaxial and allow free rotation of the nosebars 75 about the axle,driven by the conveyor belt 20.

When the axle 74 and the end assembly 10 are connected, the axle 74 islocked. When removed from the conveyor, the axle 75 can be rotated andremoved. As it is removed, each individual nosebar 75 can come out.

The nosebar 75, an embodiment of which is described in US PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/00116856 entitled “Positively-Driven,Low Tension Transfer Conveyor”, the contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference, forms a guide structure for guiding theconveyor bell around the infeed end. The nosebar 75 is mounted on and isfreely rotatable about the nosebar axle 75. Roller bearings or otherdevices may facilitate rotation of the nosebar 75 about the nosebar axle74. The nosebar 75 has a relatively small diameter, which may be smallerthan the arc of the natural curvature of the belt 20, The small radiusof the nosebar allows a smaller gap between two conveyor belts orbetween the conveyor belt and another device to ensure a smoothtransition. The nosebars 75 have a grooved profile, shown as teeth thatengage drive structure on the conveyor belt 20 to allow the conveyorbelt 20 to drive the nosebars 75. The nosebars function as slidebearings and the use of a series of segments across the width of theaxle 74 limits deflection of the axle 74 and conveyor belt 20.

The support beam 71 for the noseroller assembly further includesprotrusions 76, 77 extending from the end faces for securing thenoseroller assembly to the conveyor frame. Each protrusion 76, 77comprises a neck forming a channel for receiving a locking handle 40 andan enlarged head at the end of the neck.

As shown in FIG. 11, a handle 40 can lock each side of the noserollercartridge 70 to the frame. The handle 40 extends through an opening in afirst protrusion 35 on a side plate 30 or 31. The handle 40 bends, thenpasses through the channel formed by the neck of a protrusion 76 or 77,through a channel in a second protrusion 36. The end of the handle 40can lock in place in the third protrusion 37, which includes a slot 38and recess 39 for seating the handle. A user can depress the handle 40and move the end out of the slot to release the handle 40, releasing thenoseroller cartridge from the frame. The handle 40 may remain connectedto the associated side plate 30 or 31 even when in an unlocked position

Any suitable means for securing the noseroller assembly to the frame maybe used, and the invention is not limited to the illustrative means.Preferably, the noseroller assembly can be locked in an operationalposition, where the axle is locked axially and rotationally, without theuse of external tools or fasteners.

Each side plate 30, 31 at the infeed further include a slot 34 (see FIG.3) or other feature for mounting the guide roller 80. The illustrativeguide roller 80 mounted on an axle 81 that connects to an external dragunit 82 that may be used to create localized tension in the conveyorbelt to allow the conveyor belt to conform to the small-diameternoseroller. The drag unit may include permanent magnet brakes to brake adrive, or any suitable device. In another embodiment, the drag unit isomitted or internal to the side plates 30, 31. The infeed 10 includesconnectors 83 and other suitable means for mounting the drag unit 82 tothe side plates 30, 31.

The infeed end further includes a position limiter, which in theillustrative embodiment comprises a roller limiter 90, mounted in aselected position relative to the guide roller to ensure properengagement with the guide roller 80. Position limiter connecting plates92 connect the roller limiter 90 to the side plates 30, 31 of the frame.The position limiter connecting plates allow the position limiter 90 tomove between an engaged position, in which the position limiter 90 ispositioned to ensure proper engagement between the guide roller 80 andthe conveyor belt 20, and an disengaged position, in which the positionlimiter 90 is pivoted or otherwise moved out of engagement yet stillremains connected to the side plates 30, 31 to prevent loss andfacilitate quick re-engagement.

Referring to FIG. 12, the position limiter connecting plate 92 comprisesan open seat 93 for seating a first connecting portion on the end of theroller limiter 90 and another seat, shown as opening 94, or otherfeature for mounting the axle 81 of the guide roller 80. In oneembodiment, the axle of the guide roller 80 protrudes through theopening 94 and connects to drag unit 82 on an outer side. A protrusion95 extends from the inner surface of the connecting plate 92 below theseat 93 to allow a pivotable connection to a second connecting portionof the roller limiter. The position limiter connecting plate 92 furtherincludes openings 96 that receive fasteners 97 for mounting theconnecting plate 92 to a side plate 30 or 31. Any suitable means formounting the connecting plate 92 to the infeed may be used.

The open seat 93 of the connecting plate 92 comprises two straight sidewalls, a curved closed end wall and an open end wall to allow theconnecting portion of the roller limiter to pivot out of the seat. Inone embodiment, the open seat 93 is configured to allow pivoting of theroller limiter connecting portion 190 in a direction D that isperpendicular to an axial direction along which the roller limiter 90extends. Direction D may also be perpendicular to a reference lineextending between opening 94 and the open seat 93.

The roller limiter 90 includes mounting components that allow the rollerlimiter 90 to move into and out of engagement without requiring completeremoval of the limiter from the frame. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, theroller limiter includes handles 190 at each end that can each bereceived in a seat 93 of the connecting plate 92. Each handle 190comprises a central cylindrical portion 191 forming a connecting portionand through which the end axle of the roller limiter protrudes. An outerend face 192 caps the central cylindrical portion and has an off centerhandle 193 extending from a protrusion 194 as well as a central axle195. An inner end face 196 caps the inner side of the centralcylindrical portion 191 and includes a slotted extension 197 having aslot 198 forming a second connecting portion that engages the innerprotrusion 95 on the connecting plate 92, as shown in FIG. 15. Duringnormal operation, shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the central cylindricalportion 191 is held in the seat 93, which properly positions the rollerlimiter 90 relative to the guide roller 80, sandwiching the conveyorbelt 20 therebetween and ensuring proper engagement between the teeth ofthe conveyor belt 20 and the guide roller 80. The cylindrical portion191 can be unseated from seat 93 to release the roller limiter 90 bypulling the handle 190 up out of the seat 93 and allowing the rollerlimiter 90 pivot about protrusion 95 out of the seat and fall, as shownin FIG. 15, while the engagement between the inner protrusion 95 andslotted extension 197 holds the roller limiter 90 attached to the frame,allowing the roller limiter 90 to be quickly reengaged. Other suitablemeans for allowing disengagement of the position limiter from an engagedposition without disconnecting the position limiter from the frame maybe used.

Guards 120, 121 can also be mounted to the frame for safety purposes(see FIG. 2).

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a noseroller assembly 170 suitablefor insertion into an infeed or outfeed portion of a conveyor frame toguide a conveyor belt between a carryway and a returnway. Theillustrative noseroller assembly 170 has a support beam 171 having ahexagonal cross-section, end protrusions 176, 177, support arms 173,noseroller segments 175 and an axle 174 having a bent end 186. Thenoseroller assembly 170 can be easily inserted into and removed from anassociated frame. In another embodiment, the support beam 170 comprisesa sheet that curves at the end of the carryway, rather than a beam.

FIGS. 17-20 show alternate embodiment of a guide roller and positionlimiter connector plate for an infeed portion 110 of a conveyor,including the noseroller assembly 170 of FIG. 16. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 17-20, the guide roller 180 includes an internal braking mechanismand the position limiter connecting plate 172 is configured to connectthe internally-braked guide roller 180 to a frame side plate 30′ andalso connect the roller limiter 90 to the frame side plate 30′. Theroller limiter 90 and associated mounting components 190 are the same asor substantially similar to those shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 13-15. Theillustrative guide roller 180 includes end mounting axles 181 and atoothed outer shell 182 that can rotate around the end mounting axleswith resistance. The toothed outer shell 182 engages the drive side ofthe conveyor belt 20 to provide a limited amount of tension to ensurethat the conveyor belt 20′ conforms to the noserollers 175.

The position limiter connecting plate 192, an embodiment of which isshown in FIG. 19, is mounted to the outside of the frame plate 30′ andincludes an inner recess 194 for holding a corresponding end mountingaxle 181 such that the end mounting axle 181 remains fixed whileallowing rotation of the shell portion 182. The illustrative innerrecess 194 has flat sides for fixedly engaging the end mounting axle181. The position limiter connector 192 further includes an open seat193 for seating the handle 190 on the end of the roller limiter and aninner protrusion 195 for engaging the slot 198 in the slotted extension197 of the roller limiter to prevent removal of the roller limiter fromthe frame while allowing disengagement from the conveyor belt. The openseat 193 faces a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of theroller limiter 90 and guide roller 180, allowing the roller limiter 90to pivot out of the seat in a non-operational mode.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view through the guide roller. The toothedouter shell 182 rotates about the static end mounting axles 181.Bearings 183 control the position of the drum 182 relative to the axles181. As the conveyor belt engages and turns the shell 182, localizedtension is created, which, combined with the speed of the conveyor belt,generates power. A planetary gearbox 185 is connected to the shell 182and increases the relatively low drum speed so that the output of theplanetary gearbox 185 is a relatively high-speed shaft. The high-speedshaft, which rotates at a rate that is equal to the shell revolutionsper minute times the ratio of the gearbox, is connected to a permanentmagnet electric motor 186, which operates as a generator and creates avoltage when the shell 182 rotates. The voltage generated by the motordepends on the speed at which the motor is driven. The illustrativeinternally-braked guide roller 180 further includes resistors 187between the coils of the motor to convert the motor power to heat, whichis then dissipated through the shell 182 into the conveyor belt. In thismanner, the guide roller 180 can insert dynamic tension in a localizedarea between guide roller 180 and an infeed, without increasing tensionbetween the guide roller and the drive for the conveyor belt.

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an outfeed end 210 of a conveyorincluding components that can be disengaged from an operating positionwhile remaining connected to the frame of the conveyor according to anembodiment of the invention. FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the outfeedend of FIG. 21 and FIG. 23 is a detailed view of a portion P2 of FIG.22. The outfeed end 210 includes a frame comprising side plates 230, 231and a carryway support 232. A noseroller assembly 270, embodiments ofwhich are describes above, guides a conveyor belt 20 from the end of thecarryway into the returnway. The noseroller assembly 270 can be acartridge unit that can be inserted into and removed from the frame. Adrive 280, which may be a drum motor, sprocket or other suitable drivefor driving the conveyor belt 20, is driven by a motor 281 and engagesdrive elements on the drive side of the conveyor belt 20 to move theconveyor belt through the circuit. A drive mount 282, shown as anexternal bearing connected to a side plate 230 or 231 using fasteners oranother suitable means, mounts the drive 280 to the frame. The outfeedassembly also includes a position limiter assembly 290 for ensuringproper engagement between the drive 280 and the conveyor belt 20. A pairof position limiter connecting plates 320 connect each end of theposition limiter 290 to the frame to properly locate the positionlimiter relative to the drive. A scraper assembly 330 is also mounted tothe frame. During operation, the position limiter and scraper assemblyare in an operating position, with the scraper assembly 330 position toremove debris from the conveyor belt 20 and the position limiter 290positioned to ensure engagement of the drive 280 with the conveyor belt20. Both assemblies can be moved out of operating position to allowcleaning or maintenance without entirely removing the assemblies fromthe frame.

FIG. 24 shows an embodiment of a position limiter connecting plate 320for positioning a position limiter relative to a drive. FIG. 25 is adetailed view of the limiter connecting plate region in the assembledoutfeed. The limiter connecting plate includes an upper opening 321 forreceiving the drive shaft 283 of the drive 280. As shown in FIG. 25, thedrive mount 282 is placed outside of the limiter connecting plate 320when assembled, sandwiching the limiter connecting plate 320 between thedrive mount 282 and the associate side plate 230. The position limiterconnecting plate includes a seat, comprising an open seat, shown asrecess 322, in the middle of the rear edge for seating a firstconnecting portion of the position limiter assembly, shown as acylindrical end 291. The open seat 322 is open in a direction D that isperpendicular to the axes of the position limiter roller 90 and drive280 connected to the connecting plate, to allow the position limiterroller 90 to pivot out of an engaged, operational position. Fasteneropenings 323 receive fasteners 326 to fasten each limiter connectingplate 320 to an associated frame plate 230, 231. A middle opening 324receives a protrusion 343 on the scraper assembly to connect the scraperassembly to the limiter connecting plate 320. A lower opening 325 isused to pivotally connect with a second connecting portion of theposition limiter 290. The position limiter includes a connectingprotrusion 298 that extends through the lower opening 325. A handle 295extends from a drop-shaped base 296 of the position limiter connected tothe connecting protrusion 298. The position limiter assembly 290 canpivot about this lower opening 325 to move the position limiter 290 outof an engaged position.

FIG. 26 shows the position limiter assembly 290 in the outfeed of FIG.21. The position limiter assembly 290 comprises a roller limiter 292extending from a first side to a second side and having connectingportions, comprising cylindrical ends 291 extending from axial nubs onthe side faces of the roller limiter. The cylindrical ends 291 include aprotrusion forming a mounting plate 293 comprising a neck and anenlarged end for connecting to a lower mounting bar 294 that extendsbelow the roller limiter 292. The neck forms a recess 299. The mountingplate 293 connects to the limiter handle via connecting protrusions 298.The limiter handle, which extends outside the limiter connecting plate320 when the outfeed is assembled, includes a drop-shaped base 296, ahandle 297 and a protrusion 295. The connecting protrusion 298connecting the base 296 to the mounting plate 293 is received in theopening 325 of the limiter connecting plate 320 when the outfeed isassembled, and the position limiter assembly 290 can pivot about thisconnecting protrusion 298 to move the position limiter out of an engagedposition.

FIGS. 27 shows an embodiment of the scraper assembly 330. The scraperassembly 330 comprises a base support 331 extending between mountingplates 332. The base support 331 may be rotationally stiff. The basesupport 331 forms a plurality of blade receptacles 333, shown ascooperating fingers, for receiving a scraper blade 334. The bladereceptacles 333 are flexible and form a channel thinner than thethickness of the scraper blade at its base to compressively hold thescraper blade 334. When assembled, as shown in FIG. 21, the scraperblade 334 is biased into contact with the outer surface of the conveyorbelt 20 between the noseroller assembly 270 and the position limiterroller 290 to remove debris from the outer surface. Each mounting plateincludes outer protrusions 335, 336 for mounting the base support 331and scraper blade 334. The scraper assembly also includes handles 338extending from the top of each mounting plate 332. Mounting arms 340mounted on each side of a counter weight 341 are used to mount and biasthe scraper assembly in position. Each mounting arm 340 includes anupper recess 342 in an upper edge, a central outer protrusion 343 alower slot 344. The mounting arm 340 further includes a tapering tail345 that protrudes inwards from the slot 344. A nook 348 is formed inthe bottom edge between the tail 345 and the slot 344. The body of themounting arm curves to form a curved recess 346. The arm then connectsat an end 347 to the counter weight 341.

The scraper assembly base 331 includes a number of cutouts 337 below thereceptacles 333. The cutouts are separated by columns 339. The columns339 may be flexible and able to deflect to allow the scraper tip 334 toremain in constant contact with an outer surface of a conveyor belt. Thecolumns 339 c in the central portion of the scraper base 331 may bethicker than the columns 3390 in the outer portion of the scraper base331 to ensure sufficient strength across the scraper assembly, whileallowing more deflection towards the outside.

FIG. 28 shows the mounting of the scraper assembly 330 to the positionlimiter assembly 290 with the limiter connecting plate 320 removed inorder to show the connection between the scraper assembly 330 andposition limiter assembly 290. When assembled, the cylindrical end 291of the position limiter is located in the recess 346 of the scraperassembly and seated in the recess 322 of the connecting plate 320. Thetail 345 of the scraper assembly is inserted in the recess 299 of theposition limiter assembly and the mounting plate 293 of the positionlimiter assembly is below the tail 345. The upper protrusion 336 of themounting plate 332 is received in the recess 342 of the mounting arm340. The lower protrusion 335 of the mounting plate 332 is inserted inthe slot 344 of the mounting arm 340. The central outer protrusion 343passes through the limiter connecting plate middle opening 324.

When access, such as for cleaning, is required, a user can easilydisengage the components from position without requiring extra tools,while allowing the components to stay connected to the frame. Forexample, a user can push the position limiter handle 297 towards therear to push the connected cylindrical end 291 out of the open seat 322of the connecting plate 320 and the recess 346 of the scraper mountingarms 340. This action rotates the mounting plate 293, causing it to pushagainst the tail 345 of the arm 340 until the mounting plate 293 restsin nook 348. The movement of the handle releases the position limiterroller 292, pivoting it down below the scraper, away from the conveyorbelt, as shown in FIG. 29. The camming action between the tail 345 andmounting plate 293 pitches the arm 340 forward, pushing the scraperblade 334 out of contact with the conveyor belt. Then, a user can pullthe scraper assembly out of position by pulling up on the handle 338,unseating the protrusion 336 from the upper recess 342, causing theprotrusion 335 to slide up in the slot 344. The user can pivot thescraper assembly away from the conveyor belt. The scraper assemblypivots about protrusion 335, resting so that the blade 334 hangs belowthe frame in front of the hanging position limiter roller, as shown inFIG. 30. Thus, when the position limiter is in an engaged position, itexerts a force against the scraper to push the scraper against the belt.When the position limiter moves to its disengaged position, the forceagainst the scraper is removed, allowing the scraper to disengage whenthe position limiter is disengaged. In this manner, a user can accesscomponents of the outfeed assembly without requiring full disassembly.

Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, a tool 370 may be used during assembly ofthe outfeed assembly to ensure proper location of the drive shaft 283within the frame. The tool 370 clamps around the drive shaft 283 at theoutside of the plate 230 or 231 between the limiter connecting plate 320and the frame plate 230 or 231 to center the drive shaft 283 beforetightening the drive mount 282. The tool 370 comprises legs 371, 372pivotally connected together. Rounded arms 373, 374 extend from thepivot point 375. The rounded arms 373, 374 close together when the legs371, 372 clamp together and open when the legs 371, 372 open. Therounded arms 373, 374 include protrusions 376, 377, 378 about theperiphery for centering the drive shaft 283 in an opening of the frameplate before tightening fasteners in the drive mount.

FIGS. 33-39 show another embodiment of an infeed portion 400 of aconveyor including components that can be disengaged from an operatingposition while remaining connected to the frame of the conveyoraccording to an embodiment of the invention. The infeed portion mountsbelt guiding components between side plates 430, 431. At the end of thecarryway, a noseroller assembly 470 mounted to and between the sideplates 430, 431 using tabs 472, guides the conveyor belt 420 from belowinto the carryway, as described above. A drag roller 480 impartslocalized tension to ensure that the conveyor belt 420 conforms to thenoseroller assembly 470 and is held in seats 433 (see FIG. 37) in theside plates 430, 431. The side plates 430, 431 also include receptacles436 for mounting a position limiter connecting plate, as describedbelow, and a vertical slot 432 for seating a mounting axle of a beltguiding roller 460 (shown in FIGS. 38 and 39). The noseroller assembly470 includes arms extending from a base structure extending between theside plates, rather than a separate insert, an axle extending throughopenings in the arms and rotatably mounting a plurality of noserollersegments in spaces between the arms and a protrusion or other feature onside plate 430 for receiving and locking a bent portion of the axle tothe assembly.

The infeed assembly 400 further includes a roller limiter 490 positionedrelative to the drag roller 480 to ensure proper engagement between thedrag roller 480 and drive side of the conveyor belt 420. As shown inFIG. 38, the roller limiter 490 comprises a roller extending betweenmounting plates 491 and includes cylindrical mounting ends 492 at eachend. A mounting bar 493 extends between the mounting plates 491 belowthe main roller portion and connects to the handle 495 outside one ofthe mounting plates 491. At least one end of the mounting bar 493extends through the associated mounting plate 491 and connects to ahandle 495, which can be rotated about the mounting bar 493 to move theroller limiter 490 into and out of position.

The roller limiter 490 is connected to a belt wrapping roller 460 usingconnecting arms 462 that extend from the ends of the belt wrappingroller 460 to the mounting plates 491 and are connected to the mountingplates 491 by the ends of the roller limiter 490, as shown in FIG. 38.

The infeed assembly further includes position limiter connecting plates410 that are used to position the roller limiter 490 and belt wrappingroller 460 and connect those components to the frame. The connectingplates 410 are mounted to the side plates 430, 431 using fasteners 411inserted in receptacles 436 of the side plates 430. Each connectingplate 410 includes a horizontal front slot 412 for receiving the end ofthe drag roller 480 protruding through the mounting plate 430, an openseat 413 facing the interior of the conveyor frame for seating the end492 of the roller limiter 490, a rear vertical slot 415 for seating themounting axle 463 of the belt wrapping roller 460. The open seat 413 isopen to allow pivoting of the roller limiter 490 out of engagement withthe conveyor belt. The handle 495 of the roller limiter is attached to amounting bar 493 extending through an opening 416 in the connectingplate 410 so that when assembled, the handle 495 is rotatably mounted onthe outside of the connecting plate 410.

The handle 495 can be used to easily unseat the belt guiding roller 460and roller limiter 490. As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, rotation of thehandle 495 about the axis of rotation defined by the mounting bar 493pulls the connected roller limiter 490 out of the seat 413, rotating itabout the mounting bar 493. This action also pulls the connected beltguiding roller 460 down, with the mounting axle 463 sliding down in theslot 415 of the connecting plate 410. The slot 415 contains the beltguiding roller 460. The components can easily be moved back intoposition by rotating the handle 495 in the opposite direction from thearrow. The geometry of the connecting plate allows precise alignment andpositioning of the roller limiter relative to the drag roller 480.Preferable, the open side of the open seat 413 is about perpendicular toa reference line extending from the central axis of the drag roller 480and the central axis of the roller limiter 490 in the mounted positionand also about perpendicular to the axis of the roller limiter 490. Thegeometry of the open seat 413 controls the translation of the rollerlimiter 490 to the engaged, operating position (FIGS. 33 and 34) suchthat as it moves from the disengaged, non-operating position (FIGS. 35,36) to the operating position, the distance between the axis of theroller limiter and the axis of the drag roller 480 closes to thesmallest clearance allowable for the conveyor belt 420 and then opensback up to a desired final optimal distance for allowing the conveyorbelt to pass therebetween. The invention is not limited to moving anauxiliary components, such as the belt-wrapping roller 460, when movingthe roller limiter 490 into and out of engagement.

The components shown in FIGS. 33-39 can be permanently mounted toconveyor, but certain components may be disengaged and moved into anon-operating position for cleaning, repair or other needs withoutremoving the components from the conveyor. The components may be easilymoved back into a precise operating position without requiring externaltools to excessive adjustments.

FIGS. 40-48 show another embodiment of an infeed assembly 600 similar tothe embodiment shown in FIGS. 33-39, but having a different handle 695,a curved slot 615 seating a mounting axle 663 of a belt wrapping roller660 and other small variations.

The infeed assembly 600 includes opposing side plates 630, 631 and anoseroller assembly 670 mounted to the side plates 630, 631 for guidinga conveyor belt 620 at an infeed of a conveyor. The noseroller assembly670 can comprise a support plate extending the first side plate to thesecond side plate at the end of the carryway, arms extending from thesupport plate, an axle having a curved end and supported by the arms,and one or more rotatable nosebars mounted on the axle for guiding theconveyor belt 620 onto the carryway of the conveyor. The removablebelt-guiding assembly 670 is mounted to the frame using outward-facingprotrusions 635 on the first side plate 630.

The assembly further includes a drag roller 680 mounted between the sideplates 630, 631 for inducing limited drag in the conveyor belt 620 toallow the conveyor belt to conform to the noseroller assembly 670 at theinfeed end of the conveyor. A roller limiter 690 is positioned relativeto the drag roller 680 to ensure proper engagement between the dragroller 680 and the drive side of the conveyor belt 620. The axle ends ofthe drag roller 680 are seated in a seat in the side plates 630, 631. Anillustrative seat 633, shown in FIG. 42, for example, is open to thefront of the plate but the invention is not so limited. The side plates630, 631 also include a top seat 632 for a take-up, belt wrapping roller660. The top seat 632 is open towards the bottom. The side plates 630,631 also include openings 636 or other features for mounting connectingplates 610 to the side plates.

The illustrative assembly 600 further includes a position limiterconnecting plate 610 connected to each side plate 630, 631 for mountingand positioning the roller limiter 690, belt wrapping roller 660 andother accessories. As shown in FIG. 43, an illustrative connecting plate610 includes upper openings 616 configured to align with the openings636 in an associated side plate 630 or 631. Fasteners 611 are insertedthrough the aligned openings to mount the connecting plate 610 to a sideplate 630 or 631, though any suitable means to mount the connectingplates 610 may be used. A slotted seat 612 receives the end of the dragroller 680 protruding through the side plate 630. The illustrative seat612 is closed, but can be open as shown above. Each connecting plate 610further includes an open seat 613 for the roller limiter 690. The seat613 comprises a curved slot, open to the bottom edge of the connectingplate 610 and terminating in a rounded end that seats a mounting end 692of a roller limiter 690 when the conveyor is in an operating mode. Anopening 618 in the connecting plate below the rounded end is used toconnect a handle 695 to a mounting bar 693 extending between twomounting plates 691 that connect the mounting bar 693 to the positioningroller 690. The open seat 613 is configured to allow pivoting of thecylindrical mounting end 692 out of the rounded end, through the curvedslot and out of the connecting plate 610 about opening 618 to unseat theroller portion of the position limiter assembly. In one embodiment, theopen seat 613 is sized and shaped such that as the roller limiter movesfrom the disengaged position to the engaged position the distancebetween the axis of the roller limiter and the axis of the guide roller680 closes to a smallest allowable clearance to accommodate the belt,then opens back up to a desired final optimal distance.

FIGS. 44 and 45 show an embodiment of a roller limiter assembly suitablefor mounting to the end plates 630, 631 using connecting plates 610. Theroller limiter assembly comprises a roller 690 extending betweenmounting plates 691 and including cylindrical mounting ends 492 at eachend. During operation, the roller limiter 690 is positioned relative tothe drag roller 680 to ensure proper engagement between the drag roller680 and conveyor belt 620. A mounting bar 693 extends between themounting plates 691 below the main roller portion. At least one end ofthe mounting bar 693 extends through the associated mounting plate 691,and through the opening 618 in the connecting plate 610 when assembled.The mounting bar end connects to the handle 695, which can be rotatedabout the mounting bar 693 to move the roller limiter 690 into and outof position.

The roller limiter 690 is connected to a belt wrapping roller 660 usingconnecting arms 662 that extend from the ends of the belt wrappingroller 660 to the mounting ends 492 of the roller limiter.

As shown in FIG. 45, a pin 697 can be used to secure the mounting bar493 to the mounting plates 691. An end of the mounting bar 693 is housedin an axial opening 608 in the mounting plate 691. The pin 697 isinserted through a passageway formed by aligning a perpendicular opening609 through the mounting plate 691 with an opening in the mounting bar691 to secure the mounting bar to the mounting plate 691.

A bearing 696 and retaining cap 698 are assembled within the cylindricalmounting end 492 extending from an upper portion of the mounting plate691 for retaining the axle end of the position roller 690.

A belt wrapping roller 660 is connected to the positioning roller 690using connecting arms 662, so that dislodging of the positioning roller690 from the seat 613 moves the belt wrapping roller as well. Theconnecting plate 610 further includes a curved slot 615 comprising anupper section and a lower section for seating the mounting axle 663 ofthe belt wrapping roller 660. When the positioning roller is moved outof operating position, the mounting axle 663 moves down through thetrack formed by the curved slot 615.

In an operating mode, as shown in FIGS. 40, 46 and 47, the handle 695 isupright, the connected cylindrical mounting caps 692 are seated in theseat 613 and the axle end 663 of the belt wrapping roller 660 is in thetop portion of the slot 615 of the connecting plate 610. The handle 695is rotated about the connected mounting bar 693 to move the assembly anon-operating position, shown in FIG. 48. The connecting plate 610includes a protrusion 617 (see FIG. 43) for seating the handle 495 inthe operating position.

In the operating mode, shown in FIGS. 40, 46 and 47, a noserollerassembly 670 guides a conveyor belt 620 belt down to drag roller 680,which imparts localized tension to ensure that the conveyor belt 620conforms to the small diameter noserollers. The positioning roller 690ensures proper engagement of the conveyor belt 620 with the drag roller680, and the take-up roller 660 is positioned to wrap the belt tofacilitate proper engagement. The connecting plate 610 maintains thevarious component in optimal position and engagement during operation.

To move the assembly 600 into a non-operating mode, to allow access forcleaning or another purpose, a user rotates or otherwise moves thehandle 695 to push the mounting caps 692 out of the seat 613. The rollerlimiter 690 pivots about the mounting bar 693 to a hanging position,allowing access to the belt 620. The roller limiter 690 pulls theconnected belt wrapping roller 660 down, with the axle end 663 slidingthrough the slot 613. The relative positions of the rollers 660, 690 aremaintained by connectors 662. The components stay connected to the frameof the conveyor by mounting bar 693 and the axle ends 663 of the beltwrapping roller while allowing access to the conveyor belt.

FIGS. 49-53 show another embodiment of an outfeed assembly 500 for aconveyor, which includes many similar components described above,including side plates 530, a noseroller assembly 570, a drive 580 drivenby a motor 581, a position limiter, shown as a roller limiter 590 thatcan be rotated into and out of operational position, a scraper assembly560 and position limiter connecting plates 520 for positioning theposition limiter 590 in a proper position relative to the drive 580. Theseat 513 of the connecting plate 520 is similar to the seat 413 at theinfeed 400, and is open to allow pivoting of a cylindrical mounting end592 of the position limiter from an operational position, seated in thecurved seat, to a disengaged position, whereby the cylindrical mountingend 592 is pivoted out of the open seat 513 to disengage the positionlimiter. When assembled, as shown in FIG. 49, the noseroller assemblyguides the conveyor belt 420 from the carryway down to the drive 580,which engages the drive side of the conveyor belt. A scraper blade 564mounted in the scraper assembly 560 removes debris from the exterior ofthe conveyor belt and is properly positioned by an upper recess 542 in amounting arm 540 connected to the connecting plate 520. A handle 595connects to the outer side of the connecting plate 520, connecting on aninside of the mounting plate to a mounting bar 594, which connects tothe position limiter roller 590 via mounting plates 593 and cylindricalends 592. The handle 595 can pivot down to unseat the position limiterroller 590, as shown in FIG. 50, which can also push the scraper blade564 out of engagement with the conveyor belt 520. The scraper blade 564,arms and support can be pulled out of the assembly.

The connecting plate 520 can be mounted to the side plate 530 usingfasteners 522. The connecting plate 520 includes a top opening 521 forhousing a bearing 523 for rotatably mounting the axle of the drive 580.An open seat 513 for the roller limiter end cap 592 is formed in themiddle section and an opening 526 below the seat 513 couples the handle595 to the mounting bar 594 for the roller limiter 590.

FIGS. 53-56 show another embodiment of an outfeed assembly 700 for aconveyor, which includes many similar components described above,including side plates 730, a noseroller assembly 770 for guiding aconveyor belt 720 at an outfeed of a carryway, a drive 780 forpositively driving the conveyor belt 720 by engaging the drive side ofthe conveyor belt, a position limiter, shown as a roller limiter 790that can be rotated into and out of operational position where it ensureoptimal engagement of the conveyor belt 720 and the drive 780, a scraperassembly 760 and one or more position limiter connecting plates 710 forpositioning the roller limiter 790 in a proper position relative to thedrive 780 during operation and allowing the roller limiter and scraperassembly to move away from the drive 780 in a nonoperating mode.

The outfeed assembly 700 shows variations from the embodiments describedabove. For example, the handle 795 may be differently configured. Inaddition, the bearing 723 for the drive axle 781 can be an externalbearing mounted to the outer side of the connecting plate 710. As shownin FIG. 56, the external bearing 723 is mounted to an outer surface ofconnecting plate 710 using fasteners 725 inserted through openings 729.An upper opening 721 of the connecting plate 710 (shown in FIG. 57)aligns with the central opening of the bearing 723 to house the driveaxle 781. The connecting plate 710 is in turn aligned with a drive shaftopening in the side plate 730 and affixed thereto using fasteners 726passing through openings 728 of the connecting plate and into the sideplate 730.

The handle 795 connects to the position limiter assembly 790 through abottom opening 727 in the connecting plate 710, shown in FIGS. 56 and57. The illustrative handle includes a base 796 that receives aprotrusion 793 extending through the bottom opening 727 from themounting bar 794 of the position limiter assembly 790. A handlebarextends from the base 796 to form the handle 795, with an inwardprotrusion 798 at the end of the handlebar. The inward facing protrusionis received in an opening 726 in the bearing 723 to selectively lock thehandlebar 795 in place during operation.

In addition to the upper opening 721 for the drive axle, and the loweropening 727 for connecting the handle to the position limiter assembly790, the connecting plate also includes an open middle seat 713 forreceiving the end cap 791 of the position limiter assembly duringoperation, thus optimally positioning the roller portion of the positionlimiter assembly relative to the drive 780. Another middle opening 724in the neck portion of the connecting plate formed by the open seatreceives an outer protrusion 743 of the scraper assembly 760, shown indetail in FIG. 59, to facilitate mounting and positioning of the scraperassembly relative to the conveyor belt 720. The base 761 may bepivotally connected to the tail of the mounting arms 740 via openings748. The open middle seat 713 allows pivoting of the end cap 791 aboutthe opening 727 to unseat the roller portion of the position limiterassembly. The middle seat 713 is open facing a direction that isperpendicular to a reference line between the central axis of the driveaxle in the upper opening 721 and the axis of the roller limiter 790 toallow translation of the roller limiter 790 from the engaged position toa disengaged position. In one embodiment, the open seat is sized andshaped such that as the roller limiter moves from the disengagedposition to the engaged position the distance between the axis of theroller limiter and the axis of the drive 780 closes to a smallestallowable clearance to accommodate the belt, then opens back up to adesired final optimal distance.

Referring to FIG. 58, the scraper assembly 760 includes mounting arms740 with at least one upper recess 742 and outer protrusions 743 formounting to the connecting plate 710. A counter weight 741 extendsbetween ends of the mounting arms 740. The scraper blade portioncomprises a base 761, flexible arms 769 and a blade 764 inserted in theflexible arms. A handle 768 extends from the end of the base 761 and isreceived in an upper recess 742 of a mounting arm 740 to assemble thescraper assembly.

In operational mode, shown in FIGS. 54 and 56, the guide assembly 770guides the conveyor belt from carryway to the drive 780. The positionlimiter assembly 790, held in position by the connecting plate 710ensures engagement of the conveyor belt and drive. The scraper assembly760 holds the blade 764 in proper position against the conveyor belt 720to remove debris and is held in place by the connecting plate 710 andcounter weight 741 as well.

In a non-operating mode, the position limiter 790 and scraper 764 candisengage to allow access for cleaning, repair or another purpose.Referring to FIG. 59, the handle 795 can be pivoted about its base 796to dislodge the cylindrical end caps 791 of the position limiterassembly from the open seat 713, which pushes the connected rollerportion out of an engaged position. The movement tilts the mounting arms740 of the scraper assembly 740 away from the belt, pivoting aboutmounted protrusion 743 and pushing the blade portion 764 out of contactwith the conveyor belt.

As shown in FIG. 60, the blade 764 and arms 769 can be pushed furtherfrom the conveyor belt by lifting the handle 768 from the recess 742 androtating the arms and attached blade 764 about the base 761 and awayfrom the conveyor belt. As shown, in the disengaged mode, thecomponents, such as the position limiter assembly 790 and scraperassembly 760 remain attached to the conveyor frame and can be easilypushed back into operating position.

In the assemblies described above, the noseroller assemblies 70, 170,270 470, 570, 670, 770, comprise a support beam or plate extending froma first side to a second side, arms extending arms extending from a topsurface of the support beam or plate, the arms including a plurality ofaligned openings, an axle extending through the aligned openings and atleast one rotatable nosebar mounted on the axle. The support beam can bemounted in a recess in the side plates of the frame, or the supportplate can be permanently connected to the side plates. The axle issecured to the side plates through any suitable means. FIGS. 61-67 shownan embodiment of an arm 673 suitable for use in a noseroller assembly tosupport an axle holding noserollers for guiding a conveyor belt.

Each arm 673 comprises a shaped bar having an upper opening 679 forreceiving an axle and a threaded bottom portion 681 for securing the armto a support plate 671, beam, or other structure. The arm may bestainless steel or comprise any suitable material or combination ofmaterials.

The illustrative support plate 671, beam or other conveyor component tobe joined includes an opening 672 for receiving the bottom portion ofthe arm. A threaded nut 690 or other suitable component mates with thethreaded bottom portion 681 to secure the arm 673 relative to the plate671.

In the illustrative embodiment, the opening 672 has an upper chamfer673, with the larger diameter of the opening facing the portion of theconveyor in which hygiene may be more important.

The arm 673 has an enlarged central portion 675 configured to bereceived in the upper chamfer 673. The enlarged central portion 675comprises chamfered upper and lower surfaces 677, 676 that taper to apoint 674. The bottom surface 676 may have a shape that does not matchthe chamfer 673 of the opening. In this manner, the arm 676 can becompressively sealed against the support plate 671. As the nut 690 isthreaded onto the threaded bottom 681, the bottom surface 676 willdeform to match the shape of the opening, thereby compressively sealingthe arm 676 and support plate 671. This approach joining can be used tojoin any two conveyor components.

FIG. 68 is an example of an infeed or outfeed noseroller assembly 870formed using a compressive seal between a high hygiene environment(outside the bend in the plate 871) and a low hygiene environment(within the bend of the plate 871). As shown, the base plate 871 bendsto form the transition from a carryway to a returnway. At the bend, aseries of openings 872 with upper chamfers are formed. A plurality ofarms 873 having aligned openings are inserted in the openings 672. Thearms 873 have enlarged central portions 675 configured to be received inthe upper chamfers. The enlarged central portion 675 comprises chamferedupper and lower surfaces, and the bottom surfaces may be different fromthe shape of the upper chamfer of the openings, allowing the arm 676 canbe compressively sealed against the support plate 871. The arms includea threaded bottom end 881, configured to receive a corresponding nut 890or other suitable device. A washer 891 may be inserted between the nut890 and inner surface of the plate 871 to facilitate sealing. As the nut890 tightens on the threaded bottom, the bottom surface of the enlargedcentral portion 875 will deform to match the shape of the opening 872,thereby compressively sealing the arm 876 and support plate 871. An axle874 inserted through the aligned openings of the arms may house one ormore rotatable noseroller segments 875, as described above.

The scope of the claims is not meant to be limited to the details of thedescribed exemplary embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scraper assembly for a conveyor, comprising: apair of spaced apart scraper mounting plates, each scraper mountingplate including an upper outer protrusion and a lower outer protrusion;a base support extending between the scraper mounting plates; aplurality of scraper blade receptacles formed on the base support; and apair of mounting arms for mounting and biasing the scraper assemblyrelative to a conveyor belt, each mounting arm including an upper recessfor receiving an upper outer protrusion of a scraper mounting plate anda lower slot for receiving a lower outer protrusion of a scrapermounting plate.
 2. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein eachmounting arm has a body that curves to form a curved recess.
 3. Thescraper assembly of claim 2, wherein the body of the mounting armconnects at an end to a counter weight extending between the pair ofmounting arms.
 4. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein each mountingarm further includes a tapering tail that protrudes inwards from thelower slot.
 5. The scraper assembly of claim 4, wherein each mountingarm further comprises a nook formed in a bottom edge between thetapering tail and the lower slot.
 6. The scraper assembly of claim 1,wherein each mounting arm further includes a central outer protrusionfor mounting the mounting arm to an associated connecting plate.
 7. Thescraper assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one mounting plateincludes a handle extending from a top thereof.
 8. The scraper assemblyof claim 1, wherein the blade receptacles comprise cooperating fingersthat compressively hold a scraper blade.
 9. The scraper assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a scraper blade inserted in the bladereceptacles.
 10. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein base supportincludes a number of cutouts below the blade receptacles.
 11. Thescraper assembly of claim 10, wherein the cutouts are separated byflexible columns.
 12. The scraper assembly of claim 11, wherein flexiblecolumns in a central portion of the base support are thicker thanflexible columns in outer portions of the base support.
 13. The scraperassembly of claim 1, further comprising a connecting plate for mountingthe mounting arms to a frame of a conveyor.
 14. The scraper assembly ofclaim 13, further comprising a position limiter also connected to theconnecting plate.
 15. An assembly for a conveyor, comprising: aconnecting plate having a first seat for receiving an end of a conveyordrive and a second seat that is open; a position limiter for ensuringproper engagement between the drive side of the conveyor belt and theconveyor drive, the position limiter having a first end configured to bereceived in the open seat; a handle connected the position limiter, thehandle movable between an operating position in which the positionlimiter end is mounted in the open seat and a nonoperating position, inwhich the position limiter end is unseated from the open seat; and ascraper assembly connected to the position limiter, such that movementof the position limiter translates into movement of the scraperassembly.
 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the scraper assemblycomprises: a pair of spaced apart scraper mounting plates, each mountingplate including an upper outer protrusion and a lower outer protrusion;a base support extending between the scraper mounting plates; aplurality of scraper blade receptacles formed on the base support; apair of mounting arms for mounting and biasing the scraper assemblyrelative to a conveyor belt, each mounting arm including an upper recessfor receiving an upper outer protrusion of a scraper mounting plate anda lower slot for receiving a lower outer protrusion of a scrapermounting plate.
 17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the connectingplate includes a mounting opening for mounting the connecting plate to aside plate of a conveyor frame.